Travelling from Belfast to Istanbul: what you need to know
Belfast is home to a couple of airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Belfast to Istanbul leaving from Belfast International Airport (BFS) or George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD).
Hop off your plane in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Istanbul is three hours ahead of Belfast and is in the UTC+3 timezone.
Allow plenty of time to make your Belfast to Istanbul flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak time like August? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Belfast to Istanbul
To find cheap Belfast to Istanbul flights, book early. Airlines generally offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Belfast to Istanbul across every month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans are flexible.
There's no need to check every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Belfast to Istanbul.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Belfast to Istanbul flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Belfast
Belfast International Airport (BFS)
We make it simple to find a Belfast to Istanbul flight with a stopover. To see all the options departing from Belfast International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Stansted Airport (STN)
Manchester Airport (MAN)
BFS is about 19 kilometres from central Belfast. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 2 hours.
Booked an early flight from Belfast to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Belfast International Airport:
67.55% of flights that take off from Belfast International Airport reach their destination on schedule.
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your Belfast to Istanbul flight. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you want to do, check out these options between George Best Belfast City Airport and Istanbul:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
You can reach BHD from the centre of Belfast in about 10 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport will take roughly 20 minutes to travel the 5 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Belfast to Istanbul? Check in to a hotel near George Best Belfast City Airport before your trip officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
George Best Belfast City Airport has an on-time performance rate of 68%. This figure shows how frequently flights departing from this airport reach their destination on time.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 32 kilometres. It'll take you around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you around 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Belfast to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top outlets to choose from here.
Lock in the best deal by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks before your travel date.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is located around 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from Belfast to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 55 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
After your flight from Belfast to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the busiest month for flights from Belfast to Istanbul. To escape the crowds, head to Istanbul in February.
When booking your Belfast to Istanbul tickets, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Belfast to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Belfast to Istanbul, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just the start of the big attractions to put on your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're ready to explore another side of Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are the start of reasons to visit.